Christmas in Katy!

This year we spent Christmas in Katy, TX with all of my family. We had such a great time. This was the year everyone came back home. My brother and Heidi came all the way from New York, and then Kristen and her family drove in from Dallas. The week was filled with all kinds of activities. My sister, Kim, braved having all of the nieces and nephews at her house for cookie decorating/movie night. From the looks of everything, they all had a great time. While they were doing that, my mom was making the rest of us a special steak dinner. It was so much fun.

Kim also threw a big Christmas party at her house this year. Imagine...all 17 of us at her place. She definitely has the knack for throwing parties. It was a blast and we all ate WAY too much. The boys were glad that PawPaw and Grandma Betty came too.

The kids kept up with tradition this year and decorated their gingerbread houses as well. They all got into it; especially Kyle. I really thought he'd eat the candy before it even made it to his house but he didn't. He didn't want to quit until every stitch of his house had something on it.

Christmas morning was very exciting. This was the year that we were all going to "cut back" on buying gifts. From the looks of things, I don't think that really happened. :) They got way too much! Santa brought Jake, Cameron and Kyle webkinz and the CANDY that Kyle so badly wanted. Brandon seemed to enjoy his first Christmas (after he finally woke up)! He got lots of toys too! More than anything, Christmas was about being together as a family. It was so nice to see everyone again, and hopefully it won't be too long until we meet back up again!

Cameron's 4K Christmas Program

Cameron's Christmas program was this morning at the preschool. It was super cute. He wore his shirt that he made as well. It was a Christmas tree out of his hand prints. They sang several songs for all of the parents that were able to come. They ended it with we Wish you a Merry Christmas! It definitely put us in the Christmas spirit!

Playschool Breakfast with Santa!

Kyle had his breakfast with Santa at the preschool! He hopped right up in Santa's lap and once again informed him that all he wanted was CANDY!!! Cameron said he wanted Webkinz! It was really nice to have Grandma and Grandpa Kruse here too. They are getting to spend nice quality time with the boys. It was too bad Jakers was in school this morning.

Kyle's 3rd Birthday!

WOW!!! I can't believe Kyle is 3 already! Time flies. We went to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch to celebrate. Kyle enjoyed every minute of it. He played game after game! Grandma and Grandpa Kruse were here for the party too. He was spoiled rotten from all the grandparents and Aunts and Uncles.

The Polar Express

We have lots of Christmas traditions in the Kruse house; riding the Polar Express is one of them. The boys look forward to it every year. Nana sent them their matching Christmas jammies that they wore on the train. We went to the "North Pole" to see Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves too. We listened to them retell the Polar Express, we had cookies and milk, sang Christmas songs and then made our way back to the train station. We had a really great time!

Our own little Nativity Scene

Tonight I had gone out to do a little Christmas shopping and when I came home; this is what was waiting for me! My very own Nativity Scene. Joe had the boys acting out The Christmas Story. Jake was Joseph, Cameron was Mary, and Kyle was Baby Jesus. :) I loved it!

50's Day!

It was the 5oth day of preschool for Cameron. His 4K class celebrated by having a 50's party. The boys all wore their blue jeans and white shirts and the girls sported their cute little poodle skirts. They all looked precious. I even convinced Cam to let me TRY and style his hair. We managed to have more of an 80's spiked doo....but you get the idea! They had coke floats for snack too! Cam loved every minute of it. Here he is with his teacher....Mrs. Kristy!

Time to go see Santa!

Tonight we decided to take the boys to see Santa at the mall. We got them all dressed up in their little reindeer shirts "Aunt Ann" made for each of them. Of all the nights to see Santa; we picked the night that Pets were getting their pictures with Santa too. :) The boys were enthralled with the huge St. Bernard that was in front of us waiting to have his picture taken.

Once it was our turn they all climbed up in Santa's lap and told him what they would like for Christmas this year. Jake and Cameron said they would like a snake webkinz and all Kyle wanted was CANDY!!! Brandon just sat there happy as could be!